What am I?

a. a paint by number sunset?

b. an asymmetric snowshoe?

c. modern art?

d. a wing rib

Correct answer: d

This was a project of Nathan's from school. It's the first piece of his airplane. Someday, with many, many more parts and even more time, this could become an airplane.

Critter Update

Do you know Ralph S. Mouse? Really I think that is where the first idea of a mouse came to Evan. When Evan was four he and I read aloud the Mouse and the Motorcycle while Hans and Lydia napped. The idea of keeping a mouse in the pocket of his flannel shirt was just something that appealed to Evan. Currently he's working on training his mice to want to hang out there. Sun Cloud tried the pocket out for size the other day and liked to peek out as he was carried around. Peek-a-boo!

Bread

Just a quick pic of my little kitchen helper. Anytime I'm baking I have kids who eagerly help. This past weekend I made a batch of homemade bread and Lydia's favorite part was helping knead. Well, her favorite part was probably eating it warm out of the oven with butter and honey. Mmm. Can't say I disagree.

Critters Continued

As mentioned previously, Hans was reading books to earn a fish. Our school secretary has a beta fish in a vase with a live plant growing out of the top that Hans thinks is really, really cool. He decided that was the kind of fish he wanted. Hans finished reading his books about the same time as Evan but had to wait until we had time to actually get the fish. Sunday was the day. Hans and Nathan headed out for a "Daddy Day" and came home with a fish, squished marbles, and a plant. So far the fish remains nameless but I'm sure that will change eventually.

Critters

Yesterday, after much waiting, Evan got to bring home two mice. He's wanted a pet for as long as he could talk and has had horses, dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, goats, mice, and probably others I've forgotten on the list. With us living in a rental with a postage stamp size yard within city limits most of the animals on the list were crossed off quickly. Other's were crossed off since they creep me out a little too much. Mice I can handle especially with the rule that if they're lost in the house I'm setting a trap. Needless to say Evan promises to be careful.

Once it was decided that Evan could have mice we looked at what he'd need to take care of them. He and Nathan spent time at several pet stores pricing things out. It was determined that $18 would be needed for the minimum necessities (cage, food, bedding, water bottle, wheel) and then mice are $1.99 each. We decided that Evan could earn the mice. We'd like to see him read more so I created a chart for him to keep track of books. Evan had to read 18 books aloud to us to earn all the stuff and he'd spend some of his money from his weekly jobs to buy the mice.

I can't remember the last time Evan was more excited. He's named the tan mouse Caramel and the white with tan spotted mouse Sun Cloud. Hopefully Hans enjoys the fish he is nearly earned just as much.

1. Caramel peeking out of Evan's hands.

2. Sun Cloud taking a climb.

T-Bone

Valentine's Day in our house isn't the national holiday it is in some. I've never given or received lavish jewelry, floral displays that resemble small bushes, or unwrapped a Jaguar. We're not anti-Valentine's Day either though. Valentine's holds a special place in my heart since back in 1997 I sent three small carnations with a "roses are red" poem to Nathan signed "your secret admirer." I give him three carnations and a new poem every year. Our kids exchanged Valentine's with classmates and teachers bringing home a pile of candy to replace the just finished Christmas stash.

The only thing I did special at home this year was make special dinner. The kids dined on heart shaped mini pizzas, sipped pink (strawberry) milk, and watched Over the Hedge picnic style in the living room. Just a little treat for the little people I love most. After we'd tucked them in bed Nathan and I dined on t-bones smothered in onions, baby portobello mushrooms, and cheese, and loaded side salads. Just a little something for the man I love most. Who needs lavish jewelry, giant floral displays, and an over priced car when you've got a happy home, marriage, kids, spouse, and are living happily ever after every day? Happy Valentine's Day.

**Thank you James and Holly for the t-bone. It was part of a Christmas present to Nathan this year and we loved it! And we still have two more packages of steak in the freezer!**

Tasty Tuesday on Friday

The original recipe for these cookies are called Apple Oatmeal in a cookbook I have, but I've played with the recipe to make them very healthy (for cookies) so I think I've earned the right to rename them. They're a soft, cake-like cookie that reminds me of the flavor of a granola bar.This time I doubled the recipe and they don't quite fit in my fancy coffee can cookie jar. Happy baking!

Guilt Free Cookies

1 cup flour (can use 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white)

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 rolled oats ( NOT quick cook, uncooked)

1/2 c brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1/2 c apple sauce

1 medium apple cored and grated (I didn't even peel it)

1/2 c raisins (I used golden the first time and standard this time)

2/3 c chopped nuts (I used hickory)

Combine first 7 ingredients. Stir in apple sauce, egg, and vanilla. Stir in apple, raisins, and nuts. Drop onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!

Night Hike

This past weekend my parents came over for a visit. Saturday was a beautiful winter day with temps in the mid 20s and fresh snow on the ground from earlier in the week. We took advantage and headed up to High Cliff for a candlelight hike. This was the first time we'd hiked by candlelight in the snow. What fun! The park rangers had luminaries along the 1.3 mile trail, a bonfire about half way to stop and warm ourselves, and another fire in the pavilion upon completing the hike. High Cliff only has this event once a winter so we'll certainly have to mark it on our calendar for next year.

1. My parents, my kids, and me by a luminary.

2. My happy, hiking family.

3. A luminary.

4. The trail ahead of us as we neared the end.

Twice

One seemingly normal Saturday evening after her bath Lydia was sent to brush the tangles out of her hair. When she encountered difficulties she took the matter into her own hands and, using a scissors, removed the tangles. I don't have a picture of what it looked like when she was done but think bad 80s mullet. The sides were choppy, the top of the back had uneven chunks removed, and then the middle of the back was still long and untouched. Before church the next morning I trimmed the best I could and created the pixie cut in picture #1. Later that week a friend took her to a salon with her own kids and the stylist evened things up a bit more for us. Then a week and a half later while I was switching the laundry loads in the basement Lydia decided once wasn't enough and she took a chunk out of her bangs almost down to the scalp she shown in picture #2. This time I about hit the roof, she got to stand in the corner for a loooooooong time, I'm not fixing it, and if she does it again I'm taking the clippers to her head so she can match the boys. Hopefully we're done with this now.

Going Visiting

The end of January we invited ourselves over to visit Michael and Tammy. They've been living about 1.5 hours away since this fall but we hadn't made it over to see them yet. It worked in both our schedules to make a Sunday afternoon visit. We arrived in time for lunch, relaxed playing games, watched a movie, walked to the library, had a pizza party supper, and then returned home again. Thanks for opening your home to us for the day. Since we live so close, we need to do this more often. Love you guys.

Spunk

I should have added this picture to Lyd's birthday post not because it was on her birthday but just to show you a bit of her spunky style. Dress up clothes are worn daily here and quite often even make it out the the house. I am the mother who doesn't mind when her daughter wears a tutu and cowboy boots shopping. I figure she's dressed, happy, and confident. Works for me. This dress she's wearing was one of mine as a child that my mom saved for me. Maybe someday Lydia's daughter can prance around wearing it with her magic wand and cowgirl hat.

Lydia turns 4

Having a birthday between Christmas and New Years means Lydia's birthday gets a little lost in the holiday crush. We had mini celebrations with our families when we visited them over Christmas but we waited to have the cake she chose and give her the gifts from us until after we'd returned home.

The cake may look a little familiar since it's nearly identical to the one I made Nathan last year only the plane is pink per Lydia's instructions. One day this fall she asked me which flies airplanes a pilot or a pirate? I carefully pronounced pilot for her. She replied by explaining she's going to "be a pilot when I grow up so I can just be with my Daddy all day long". You can tell how Daddy rates around here. This airplane affection isn't limited to just the boys in the house.

I can't believe how quickly Lydia is growing up, how quickly another year has passed. She is certainly a little girl with her own opinions, feelings, plans, and ideas. Her determinations and stubbornness are still apparent but so are her the creativity, helpfulness, and silliness. Her big brown eyes are always sparkling with spirit and spunk. We love you Lydia. Happy Fourth Birthday!

OPM #2

Here is a video of the Apostle's Clock chiming on the hour. Jesus comes out of a door in the center, each of the twelve Apostles passes in front of Jesus, above small doors with angels open, on each side are smaller doors with nativity and crucifixion scenes. This doesn't do it justice but you get the idea. Enjoy.

Oshkosh Public Museum

Early in January friend from school asked if we'd like to join them at the Oshkosh Public Museum. We pass the OPM on the way to school every day and I've often thought we should check it out but we hadn't made it yet. These friends had won some free passes they kindly shared so we joined them on a Friday after school. The museum has many very interesting displays about Oshkosh history, Winnebago county animals, and special exhibits that change several times each year. We enjoyed our day enough that we purchased a family membership so we can head back anytime we'd like.

1. My boys with our hostesses. Here they are playing in the "Grandma's Attic" which is a hands on display made for kids to check out the way generations passed lived.

2. Here are the five kids in the "Log Cabin." As a family we've listened to nearly the entire Little House series so this was like Laura Ingalls come to life. With girls in bonnets and boys in straw hats they played happily here until the lights were flicked as a sign the museum was closing.

3. Lydia in her bonnet and wooden shoes.

4. Evan 'shooting' one of the wooden muskets.

Presents from Paraguay

One of Hans' gift traveled a long way before he got to open it this Christmas. Nathan's sister, Andrea, has been living in Paraguay working for the Peace Corp for several years. Being Hans' godmother she sent him a special Christmas gift. He received an Paraguaya Futbol jersey, a hat that they wear at futbol games, and a whistle to blow loudly while cheering for his favorite team. Here he's showing off two of the three gifts, the third we heard all day long!

Thank you Andrea. We hope you had a happy Christmas and look forward to celebrating with you in person again someday.